Both North Korea’s above-board and illicit fuel supplies appear to be under pressure, with Chinese trade data suggesting an oil cutoff as the DPRK’s tankers face UN sanctions and port bans.

According to figures released by China’s General Administration of Customs, no diesel, gasoline or other fuels were shipped to North Korea in February.

The apparent cutoff began in October last year, a month after the UN passed Resolution 2375, which includes some restrictions on shipments of refined and crude oil to North Korea, though does not call for a complete ban.[/p